Mission, OR – Face masks must be worn in any and all government, enterprise or private buildings (excluding personal homes) on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, effective immediately, June 30, 2020, according to a press release issued by the Incident Command Team (ICT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
The Incident Command has required Tribal Government and Tribal Enterprises to have staff, visitors and guests wear face masks in
CTUIR buildings since entering into Tier III Reopening. Governor Kate Brown has announced a requirement, beginning July 1, 2020, for face masks to be worn indoors in all buildings in Oregon.
In order for the CTUIR to slow the spread of COVID-19 additional mitigation measures are necessary to protect the health and welfare of the Reservation community, the CTUIR news release states.
The Incident Command has ordered a mask-wearing requirement that is the same as the State of Oregon.
“We must slow and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Ted Wright, Executive Director and Incident Commander for CTUIR. “We must continue strong mitigation measures to ensure our safety.”
“Our community is very vulnerable to this disease and must be vigilant,” said Kathryn Brigham, Board of Trustees Chair, “The safety and health of our community is our top priority and we will do what is necessary to protect our people.”
The spread of COVID-19 continues to grow in Umatilla County, the homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is made up of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 statute 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the treaty rights guaranteed under federal statute.
